Method and apparatus for determining replication schema against logical data disruptions

Abstract

A method and apparatus for managing the protection of stored data from logical disruptions are disclosed. The method may include storing a set of data on a data storage medium, displaying a graphical user interface to a user, wherein the graphical user interface is a graphical representation of a replication schema to protect the set of data against logical disruption, and providing the user with an ability to modify the replications schema through the graphical user interface.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 storing a set of data on a data storage medium;    displaying a graphical user interface to a user, wherein the graphical user interface is a graphical representation of a replication schema to protect the set of data against logical disruption; and    providing the user with an ability to modify the replication schema through the graphical user interface.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying the replication schema based on input received from the user through the graphical user interface.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying a set of blocks on the graphical user interface, wherein each block represents an instance of replication.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a subset of the set of blocks represents a snapshot copy.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a subset of the set of blocks represents a full copy.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising dividing the set of blocks into groups.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein each group represents a different time interval.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising indicating whether a group is an online copy or an offline copy.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising color-coding the set of blocks to indicate a point-in-time source set of data.  
     
     
         10 . A set of instructions residing in a storage medium, said set of instructions capable of being executed by a storage controller to implement a method for processing data, the method comprising: 
 storing a set of data on a data storage medium; and    displaying a graphical user interface to a user, wherein the graphical user interface is a graphical representation of a replication schema to protect the set of data against logical disruption and provides the user with an ability to modify the replication schema.    
     
     
         11 . The set of instructions of  claim 10 , further comprising modifying the replication schema based on input received from the user through the graphical user interface.  
     
     
         12 . The set of instructions of  claim 10 , further comprising displaying a set of blocks on the graphical user interface, wherein each block represents an instance of replication.  
     
     
         13 . The set of instructions of  claim 12 , wherein a subset of the set of blocks represents a snapshot copy.  
     
     
         14 . The set of instructions of  claim 12 , wherein a subset of the set of blocks represents a full copy.  
     
     
         15 . The set of instructions of  claim 12 , further comprising dividing the set of blocks into groups.  
     
     
         16 . The set of instructions of  claim 15 , wherein each group represents a different replication interval.  
     
     
         17 . The set of instructions of  claim 15 , further comprising indicating whether a group is an online copy or an offline copy.  
     
     
         18 . The set of instructions of  claim 12 , further comprising color-coding the set of blocks to indicate a point-in-time source set of data  
     
     
         19 . A processing system, comprising: 
 a memory that stores a set of data;    a processor that performs a replication schema to protect the set of data against logical disruptions;    a display that shows a graphical user interface representing a graphical representation of the replication schema; and    an input device that provides the user with the ability to modify the replication schema through the graphical user interface.    
     
     
         20 . The processing system of  claim 19 , wherein a set of blocks is displayed on the graphical user interface with each block representing an instance of replication.  
     
     
         21 . The processing system of  claim 20 , wherein a subset of the set of blocks represents a snapshot copy.  
     
     
         22 . The processing system of  claim 20 , wherein a subset of the set of blocks represents a full copy.  
     
     
         23 . The processing system of  claim 20 , wherein the set of blocks is divided into groups.  
     
     
         24 . The processing system of  claim 23 , wherein each group represents a different replication interval.  
     
     
         25 . The processing system of  claim 20 , wherein each block is color-coded to indicate a point-in-time source set of data.